CHIEF Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud has given his assurance that no racially-biased or discriminating policies would ever be allowed to take root in Sarawak.

He stressed that this is regardless of what is happening in other parts of Malaysia.

Pehin Sri Taib assured the people that the Sarawak Barisan Nasional would always give freedom to Chinese and mission schools to flourish.

He pointed out that the Tunku Abdul Rahman Foundation and Yayasan Sarawak scholarships have been given to all deserving students, regardless of race or religion.

“We have always accorded freedom to Chinese schools and mission schools in Sarawak to operate.

“Although there are certain problems relating to these issues in other states, this will not happen in Sarawak. In Sarawak, every chance will be given to the deserving people based on merit, not based on race or religion,” he said.

Pehin Sri Taib said his administration has a proven record of having helped Chinese schools, mission schools, churches, temples and mosques — fairly and equally.

Such policies have been in place for decades, he said, and have succeeded in turning Sarawak into the most racially-harmonious state in the country.

He added that the State Government has not only helped these institutions financially and morally, but also in terms of infrastructure.

“Through the state government’s partnership with big private companies, we have made sure they can function smoothly and without interference from others.

“In the universities in Sarawak, we do not even impose any racial quotas. I have been criticised by certain people who asked me why are there so many Chinese being allowed into our universities.

“My reply is that we do not deny anyone a chance to succeed just because of race,” he stressed.

Pehin Sri Taib added that whatever was taking shape in the political development in the state and country, he would always ensure the State’s open and non-discriminatory policies would continue to flourish.

May God continue to bless this great State of ours and may we continue to do all we can to protect what makes us uniquely Sarawakian from ever being threatened or taken away by outsiders.

The report from The Star:

Chief Minister assures chances will be given based on merits, not race or religion

MIRI: Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said he would make sure no racially-biased or discriminating policies would ever take root in Sarawak, regardless of what was happening in other parts of the country.

He also assured the people that his administration would always give freedom to Chinese and mission schools to flourish.

Speaking at a Chinese New Year dinner organised by the Federation of Chinese Associations Miri Division here on Sunday night, he said Sarawakians have never been differentiated based on racial considerations.

Working together: Taib (centre) accompanied by his wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi, Asfia (third from right) and his wife Datin Amar Fatimah Mohd Iskandar together with other dignitaries tossing the ‘yee sang’ at the Chinese New Year dinner in Miri.

“We in Sarawak have never neglected the Chinese community. In the education sector, we in the state have two avenues to help the Chinese students who excel in their education.

“We have funds under the Tunku Abdul Rahman Foundation and the Yayasan Sarawak scholarships to help all deserving students, regardless of race or religion.

“We have always accorded freedom to Chinese schools and mission schools in Sarawak to operate.

“Although there are certain problems relating to these issues in other states, these will not happen in Sarawak.

“In Sarawak, every chances will be given to the deserving people based on merits, not based on race or religion,” he said.

Also present at the dinner was acting Head of State Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.

Taib, who is State Barisan Nasional chairman, said his administration had a proven record of having helped Chinese schools, mission schools, churches, temples and mosques — fairly and equally.

According to him, these policies have been in place since decades ago and have succeeded in turning the state into the most racially-harmonious in the country.

He added that his administration had not only helped these institutions financially and morally, but also in terms of infrastructure.

“Through the state government’s partnership with big private companies, we have made sure they can function smoothly and without interference from others.

“In the universities in Sarawak, we do not even impose any racial quotas. I have been criticised by certain people who asked me why are there so many Chinese being allowed into our universities.

“My reply is that we do not deny anyone a chance to succeed just because of race consideration,” he stressed.

Taib said that whatever was taking shape in the political development in the state and country, he would always make sure the open and non-discriminatory policies would continue to flourish in the state.

He urged the Chinese to put aside their political differences and focus on how to face the uncertainties ahead.

Taid said this “Year of the Dragon” could see uncertainties ahead in both economic or political fronts, but pointed out that with Sarawakians being united with the state leadership, they could meet these challenges and emerge even stronger than before.